All posts by Andrew Rieker

Latest News

A new Smartphone app has been released to make flying drones safer. The app clearly shows crucial drone no-fly zones and drone fly with caution zones for drones operated in the under two kilogram commercial category. This information can also be used as guide for recreational drone flyers and certified remotely piloted aircraft operators. The app uses a drone flyers location to display no-fly zones around major airports, the flight paths of smaller airports and helicopter landing areas. Users will also see restricted and military airspace where drones must not be flown. The drone no-fly zones are shaded in red on the map. Orange shading is used to show fly with caution zones around areas where aircraft are known to operate at low altitudes. It is the first time an official app has been released in Australia to help drone flyers stay safe and abide by the safety regulations. Information is also shown for uncontrolled aerodromes and aircraft landing areas, with written advice about what to do when flying a drone in those locations. The app has been produced with specialist drone software company Drone Complier and will be available in Android, iOS and web-based HTML5.

Latest News

V-TOL is pleased to announce that it has been awarded an Ignite Ideas grant from the Advance QLD Fund, by DSITI, QLD Govt. The grant will be used to develop and field test VEURON™, a technology designed to provide the on-board computing power necessary to enable real-time data analytics for business intelligence tasks in addition to a sophisticated level of robot automation. “We expect this technology will take robotic productivity and safety to the next level”, said Mark Xavier CEO/MD of V-TOL.

VEURON™ working with RelmaTech SIAM UTM will enable safer and more productive Multi-Aircraft, Multi-Task & Multi-Sensor Day/Night Operations in the National Airspace

V-TOL has commenced testing the VEURON™ capability in preparation for advanced field testing later this year. The flight program will be designed to collect the metrics required to establish the value VEURON™ equipped robots can deliver into Australia’s ‘core’ industries.

Advance Queensland is a $405 million whole-of-government initiative that aims to turn ideas into actions by investing in research and technologies, attracting new investment, building global partnerships and encouraging businesses to start and grow in Queensland.

Latest News

V-TOL is pleased to announce that it has been awarded an Ignite Ideas grant from the Advance QLD Fund by DSITI. The grant will be used to develop and test VEURON™ a technology designed to provide the on-board computing power necessary to enable real-time data analytics and a more sophisticated level of robot automation. “We expect this technology will take robotic productivity and safety to the next level”, said Mark Xavier CEO/MD of V-TOL.

Latest News

Under its unique CASA & RAAF beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) permissions, and building on its remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) operational & manufacturing experience, V-TOL is now conducting day/night BVLOS multi-aircraft, multi-task, multi-sensor flight operations. The aim of this current RPAS flight program is to demonstrate the significant value RPAS can deliver into Australia’s ‘core’ industries 24/7 in a safe & compliant manner.

He continues, “Only by conducting safe, cost-effective, real-world demonstrations can we win over the confidence of the public & the industries that will become the main beneficiaries of this technology. The 3Ms working 24/7 is what large organisations want and we intend to deliver them.”

A testament to how routine these operations are viewed by RAAF operations, FA-18 Super Hornets & C-17 operations are not effected by V-TOL RPAS operations in this airspace. Vertical and horizontal separation is maintained by RAAF ATC & V-TOL operational procedures. Life goes on in a routine, but professional manner.

Latest News

The robotics and automation industry is rapidly emerging to be a key driver in the future growth strategies of global corporations. Drones are now at the forefront of our minds when it comes to technology. So where will drones be in five years?

The benefits of employing these technologies across the ‘core’ economic sectors of the global economy are growing daily and like the PC and iPhone will be profound. The final outcome will be a 3D digitised world in real-time. To get there will require the culmination of platform & supporting technologies marching in time with the regulations that will control their use.

In one sense, this industry is a close replay of the ICT experience of the 1970s, 80s & 90s. The lessons learnt over that 30 year period are now well studied and understood, but the business development cycle, as demonstrated by the current consumer drone uptake, is occurring far more rapidly. I suspect there will be many surprises when it comes to winners and losers.

For major players that consider global ‘core’ economic sectors such as agriculture, mining, security & logistic, and government services to be their bread & butter or future opportunity, getting the strategy wrong could prove an expensive and or a fatal game changer for them.

The rush to deploy capital into the global drone sector, particularly by Silicon Valley, is evidence of the drive towards securing the ‘high’ ground of this technology. In addition to the traditional aerospace companies such as Boeing and Airbus, the likes of Intel, Face Book and Amazon are investing heavily in what they believe will result in competitive advantage through a ‘disruptive’ technology.

On the flipside, I’m surprised that it took Alphabet this longer to realise that delivery of door to door products by drones “are a fantasy” (their words) for the foreseeable future. Alphabet’s decision to withdraw from the delivery idea should be taken seriously. I believe it will take allot more technology before a Uni student on a scooter can be cost-effectively replaced by a drone or robot pizza delivery system.

So where will drones be in five years? In short, you will see them over every mine & farm and used by every corporation and government agency that can use spatial information, but don’t expect your pizza to arrive by air just yet!

Latest News

V-TOL recently collected a high-resolution LiDAR dataset of Peal Island near Brisbane using a Hornet equipped Data61 HoverMap sensor. The story behind creating the Peal Island virtual reality model was filmed by the BBC and has just been released for global viewing. Here is the story:

Latest News

V-TOL, a Queensland based Technology SME focusing on Unmanned Aircraft (UA) manufacturing, training and flight service operations has been issued a CASA Instrument to conduct day and night BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) operations under its CASA ReOC 0074. This is a significant step towards routine advanced UA/Drone operations in support of Australia’s ‘core’ economic sectors. For further information see attached press release.

Latest News

New drone rules start today, allowing you to fly your sub 2kg drone commercially without the need to be certified, saving you both time and money. Before you take-off, you must complete an online notification form and agree to fly within the standard operating conditions to keep everyone safe. Your drone is your responsibility. Know the rules—fly safe. More information available at https://www.casa.gov.au/rpa

Latest News

Working with New Hope Group (NHG) staff members Martin Leggat & Tony Nielsen (on L), Mark Xavier (V-TOL) and John Thynne (RelmaTech UK), conduct the final risk assessment for RPAS survey operations over the Queensland Bulk Handling NHG facility at the Port of Brisbane.

V-TOL has achieved a world first by securing the required permissions to conduct routine RPAS operations within 3NM of major International Airport at a major Port facility. “This is a commercial operation designed to provide valuable data for the New Hope Group on a regular basis,” says Mark Xavier.”

To the best of our knowledge, this type of operation has never been permitted before and was only achieved after testing our manufactured aircraft, and operational concept using RelmaTech’s SIAM (Secure Integrated Air Management) technology with the Royal Australian Air force at RAAF Base Amberley where V-TOL has operated RPAS for over 10 years “, he continued.